Hinduism

Some basic Hindu concepts include:

There are two primary symbols associated with Hinduism, the swastika and the om. The word swastika means “good fortune” or “being happy” in Sanskrit, and the symbol represents good luck. (A clockwise variation of the swastika with a 45-degree rotation later became associated with Germany’s Nazi Party when they made it their symbol in 1920.)

The om symbol is composed of three Sanskrit letters and represents three sounds—a, u and m—which when combined are considered a sacred sound. The om symbol is often found at family shrines and in Hindu temples.

Most scholars believe Hinduism, which has no one founder, started somewhere between 2300 B.C. and 1500 B.C. in the Indus Valley, near modern-day Pakistan. But many Hindus argue that their faith is timeless and has always existed.

Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus Valley, and their language and culture blended with that of the indigenous people living in the region. There’s some debate over who influenced whom more during this time.

The period when the Vedas were composed became known as the “Vedic Period” and lasted from about 1500 B.C. to 500 B.C. Rituals, such as sacrifices and chanting, were common in the Vedic Period. The Epic, Puranic and Classic periods took place between 500 B.C. and A.D. 500. Hindus began to emphasize the worship of deities, especially Vishnu, Shiva and Devi.

The Medieval period of Hinduism lasted from about A.D. 500 to 1500. New texts emerged and, with them, the concept of dharma. Poet-saints recorded their spiritual sentiments during this era. Hinduism was also subject to threats. In the 7th century, Muslim Arabs began invading areas in India. During parts of the Muslim Period, which lasted from about 1200 to 1757, Islamic rulers prevented Hindus from worshipping their deities, and some temples were destroyed.

As Hinduism evolved in the Medieval period, other faiths, such as Buddhism and Jainism, spread rapidly. Buddhism arose out of Hinduism, and both believe in reincarnation, karma and that a life of devotion and honor is a path to salvation and enlightenment. But some key differences exist between the two religions: Many strains of Buddhism reject the caste system and do away with many of the rituals, the priesthood and the gods that are integral to Hindu faith.

Between 1757 and 1947, the British controlled India. At first, the new rulers allowed Hindus to practice their religion without interference, but the British soon attempted to exploit aspects of Indian culture as leverage points for political control, in some cases exacerbating Hindu caste divisions even as they promoted westernized, Christian approaches.

Many reformers emerged during the British Period. Beginning in 1919, the well-known politician and peace activist Mahatma Gandhi led a movement that pushed for India’s independence. The partition of India occurred in 1947, and Gandhi was assassinated in the following year. British India was split into what are now the independent nations of India and Pakistan, and Hinduism became the major religion of India.

Starting in the 1960s, many Hindus migrated to North America and Britain, spreading their faith and philosophies to the Western world.

Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book.

The primary sacred texts, known as the Vedas, were composed around 1500 B.C. This collection of verses and hymns was written in Sanskrit and contains revelations received by ancient saints and sages. The four major parts of the Vedas are: the Rig Veda, the Samaveda, the Yajurveda and the Atharvaveda. Hindus believe that the Vedas transcend all time and don’t have a beginning or an end.

The Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, 18 Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharata are other important texts in Hinduism.

Hindus worship many gods and goddesses in addition to Brahman, who is believed to be the supreme God force present in all things.

Some of the most prominent deities include:

Hinduism has many sects, and the following are often considered the four major denominations.

Vaishnavism is considered the largest Hindu sect, with an estimated 399.5 million followers worldwide (as of 2020). It includes sub-sects that are familiar to many non-Hindus, including Ramaism and Krishnaism. Vaishnavism recognizes many deities, including Vishnu, Lakshmi, Krishna and Rama. The sect’s religious practices vary from region to region across the Indian subcontinent.

Shaivism is one of the largest denominations of Hinduism, and its followers worship Shiva, sometimes known as “The Destroyer,” as their supreme deity. Shaivism spread from southern India into Southeast Asia and is practiced in Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia as well as India. Like the other major sects of Hinduism, Shaivism considers the Vedas and the Upanishads to be sacred texts.

Shaktism is somewhat unique among the four major traditions of Hinduism in that its followers worship a female deity, the goddess Shakti (also known as Devi). Shaktism is sometimes practiced as a monotheistic religion, while other followers of this tradition worship a number of goddesses. This female-centered denomination is sometimes considered complementary to Shaivism, which recognizes a male deity as supreme.

The Smarta or Smartism tradition of Hinduism is somewhat more orthodox and restrictive than the other three mainstream denominations. It tends to draw its followers from the Brahman upper caste of Indian society. Smartism followers worship five deities: Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Ganesh and Surya. Their temple at Sringeri is generally recognized as the center of worship for the denomination.

Some Hindus elevate the Hindu trinity, which consists of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Others believe that all the deities are a manifestation of one.

Hindu worship, which is known as “puja,” typically takes place in the Mandir, or “temple.” Followers of Hinduism can visit the Mandir any time they please. Hindus can also worship at home, and many have a special shrine dedicated to certain gods and goddesses.

Making offerings is an important part of Hindu worship. It’s a common practice to present gifts, such as flowers or oils, to a god or goddess.

Additionally, many Hindus take pilgrimages to temples and other sacred sites in India.

The caste system is a social hierarchy in India that divides Hindus based on their karma and dharma. Although the word “caste” is of Portuguese origin, it is used to describe aspects of the related Hindu concepts of varna (color or race) and jati (birth). Many scholars believe the system dates back more than 3,000 years.

The four main castes, in order of prominence, include:

Many subcategories exist within each caste. The “Untouchables” are a class of citizens who are outside the caste system and considered to be in the lowest level of the social hierarchy.

For centuries, the caste system determined most aspects of a person’s social, professional and religious status in India. When India became an independent nation, its constitution banned discrimination based on caste.

Today, the caste system still exists in India but is loosely followed. Many of the old customs are overlooked, but some traditions, such as only marrying within a specific caste, are still embraced.

Hindus observe numerous sacred days, holidays and festivals timed to the Hindu lunar calendar. Some of the most well-known include: